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Printed letters, July 7, 2010

When Sam and Christine Jahani moved to Montrose with their six children, they did so not with their hands out, but with their arms open.

This community benefited from the love and generosity of the Jahani family — the times they hosted Dennis Jernigan to bless us by his ministry, the small groups of people that were ministered to by them in Bible studies, ladies’ retreats and individual counsel.

Are they perfect? Not anymore so than the rest of humanity. Who among us is without sin and can cast the first stone?

Those hard-to-treat patients he is now under fire for taking care of, the people who suffer with chronic pain for whatever reason, were often referred to him by other doctors who did not want to deal with them. They are difficult patients, many terminal patients at the end of their lives. They are incredibly ill, injured or disabled people who need care in ways that I hope I never experience, but ways that we mortal beings are all likely to. Jahani never turned his back on one of them, certainly not the way we have turned our backs on him.

The jealousy and greed that have destroyed his practice have not only affected the Jahani family, but the patients and friends that know them for who they are. We have destroyed his practice, taken his home and ripped apart his family. Aren’t there those among us who can stand up and say that’s enough? Well, I can.

I am proud to say that I love them, that I was cared for and ministered to by them. They were a blessing to me and I am a better human being because of their influence in my life.

CATHIE MARTINEZ Montrose

Candidate has passion, emotion, conservatism

As a conservative Republican candidate for the 3rd Congressional District, let me respond to Richard Schoenradt’s letter to the editor imploring voters not to “vote with emotion” and to “investigate the character” of a candidate.

I agree we must talk facts and the fact is Scott Tipton lost to Rep. John Salazar in 2006, when Salazar won 62 percent of the vote. As the writer notes, “We cannot afford another election year like 2008” or 2006. As for character, I have plenty. Emotion? Plenty. Passion? I’m angry about the direction this country has taken.

I’m a retired colonel, Airborne Ranger, combat veteran, mountaineer, former small-business owner and recovering lawyer. Unlike Tipton, who has been involved with the Republican Party since 1976, I have never been involved in politics and owe nothing to the party. Nobody owns me, and they never will.

More facts: Tipton is a state legislator with a middling record on issues critical to the conservative base. The Colorado Union of Taxpayers rates him at 73 percent, based on his voting record in the House. Of the 27 Republicans in the Colorado House, 11, or 41 percent, had more conservative voting records than Tipton.

Take a look at my website, http://www.mcconnellforcongress.com, regarding my substance on issues. I am advocating term limits for Congress, a congressional pay cut, ending the Federal Reserve, repealing the 16th Amendment. I believe we should declare war or bring our troops home, repeal Obamacare and replace it with common-sense solutions. I will stand against wrong, whether Republican or Democrat. Watch my videos on the Second Amendment, veteran’s rights, health care and cap and trade, for instance.

This is not a popularity contest or a payback for service to the party. The congressional seat I am seeking is critical to the economic recovery and health of the district. Would you send a leader or a proven middle-of-the road politician?

BOB MCCONNELL

Steamboat Springs

It’s sad that a writer views homeless as ‘miscreants’

So, in the painfully narrow mind of letter writer Fred Zimmat, all homeless people are automatically “problem miscreants.” How terribly, terribly sad.